This year's Cavan intermediate final was won by Drumalee, their second title at this grade over the last four years, but unlike 2006, star player Mickey Brennan feels that they are better equipped to survive in the senior ranks this time around. Mickey's story is a unique one with the Drumalee club as the Meath native has only be playing for the Cavan side since 2001 when work commitments saw him move to Cavan town.

Leaving his home club was always going to be a wrench, but the fact that he was welcomed with such open arms by his new team mates made the transition very easy indeed and he has certainly made a huge impression during his tenure there.
"I was shocked by the welcome that I was first given at the club, it was as if I had been with them years and I just felt at home as soon as I came here," stressed Mickey.
"They are a great bunch of lads and you couldn't ask for any better team mates, they give it their all on the pitch and they certainly showed that this year. When we won the intermediate in 2006, we probably weren't as well as equipped as we are now and there was a different structure in the senior championship that year that didn't suit us either.
"However, I'd be confident that we can more than hold their own at the top level next year. We have some very exciting players on the day and they won't fear playing senior football."
Ahead of their venture into senior football is the matter of the Ulster club intermediate football championship and Mickey admits that once the celebrations had died down after their county final win, their attention soon turned to provincial glory.
"We went back training the Friday night after the county final. There was a lot of drink to be sweated out after the few days beforehand," he joked. "We will give the Ulster club a real go and I'd be confident that we can do very well in it."
Mickey feels that the unity and understanding between the players is one of the main reasons that they defeated Drumlane in this year's county final.
"Most of the lads would hang around together off the field and they all get on very well. For example myself and my midfield partner Gary Malone would have a great understanding between us. Gary would be telling me to go forward and that he would sit back and it works very well."
The understanding worked so well in the county final that Mickey was named Man of the Match in the decider, a proud moment for him and his family although he was quick to detract that attention from himself.
"It's a nice honour to get alright, but its all about winning the championship and without the rest of the squad that wouldn't have been possible. I was delighted to get the award, but to me I'm only accepted it on behalf of the rest of my team mates."
Throughout his time with Drumalee, Mickey always felt that he had some unfinished business back with the club of his childhood Simonstown Gaels.
"I played all my underage football, right up to under-21 with Simonstown and our age group won most titles all the way up. I had never played senior with them and in 2008, I decided to go back to them. I was very hard leaving Drumalee, but they were great about it and when I was leaving I stressed that I would be back with them before too long.
"It was always a passion of mine to play senior football with Simonstown. My mother is a staunch supporter of the club and never misses a match, so it was as much for her as it was me that I went back for two years. It was a great honour to play for them, but I always knew that I'd come back to Drumalee and it turned out to be a great year to do so."
Mickey's performances for Drumalee earned him a call up to the Cavan squad for the past few years and he frittered amongst the squad for a few years before finally making the breakthrough this year when he made his championship debut against Fermanagh, earning rave reviews from full forward.
"I was personally delighted to play for Cavan. I love playing football and to be involved in the county set up is something special. It was a disappointing end to the year, having come back so well against Wicklow, but then to face Cork was just a disaster for us.
"I don't think anyone was really confident that day and it showed in our performance, but we would certainly believe that under new manager Val Andrews, we can make a bigger impression in the Ulster championship in 2011. I'm 31 now, but feel as fit as ever and I'm hoping that I still have something to offer for another few seasons anyway."
Despite being a Meath man, Mickey is proud to wear the Cavan jersey and he stressed that his head would not be turned if the new Meath manager came knocking on his door.
"I'm a Meath supporter and will never deny that but I'd never play county football with them. I owe so much to both Drumalee and Cavan and I'm enjoying my football down here so much."
Mickey is manager of The Side Door Restaurant in Cavan town, one of the county's leading hostelries since opening its doors to the public nine years ago. The side door is part of a three restaurant franchise that includes The Loft in Navan and the Ground Floor in Kells, Co Meath, and together all have earned rave reviews down through the years.
Through work and play, Mickey has that winning mentality and he aims to help improve the business, while giving his all for Drumalee and Cavan over the coming months. 
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